Medical Equipment Inc

Medical Equipment INC Q1) No, Grover thought that he has a good understanding for the culture because he was raised in Saudi Arabia, but the reality is he grew in an expatriate compound with limited contact with the Saudi people or the Saudi culture. He went to an Indian school and then went to take his college degree in the USA. His internships gave him the opportunity to work in France and the United States. The internships prepared him to work in the field but Saudi business concept is foreign to him.Grover did not understand the Saudi culture and missed some critical points while he was trying to get the deal. He knew that relationships are important in making business in Saudi Arabia which is completely true. The problem was he tried to build relations with the wrong persons the foreign cardiologist, the Egyptian biomedical engineer and the purchasing manager, but he could not reach the purchasing director. In a hierarchy community as Saudi Arabia the purchasing director is the most important one to build a relation with he is the one who can give Grover the deal.Grover spent his time building relation with people who can’t help him with the deal. It was obvious for me that Al Humaidi was avoiding meeting with Grover and when he finally met him after approximately one month it was a formal conversion. I lived in Saudi Arabia for 9 years and from my experience Saudi’s only have a say in Saudi Arabia. Foreigners or non Saudi Arabs working there have no say when it comes to business deals.A Saudi will always prefer to work with an Arab like Najjar and not an Indian because of the language and religious similarities this may sound harsh but is true especially in a situation like this where Al Humaidi had established a long relation with Najjar. Q2) Bribe is never justified and it is unethical, unless you are working in a pharmaceutical company or in a medical equipment company. I am a pharmacist who worked in Egypt and lived in Saudi Arabia and f rom my experience that all the deals in this field need bribes.Bribes are not ethical at all but are a common practice in field of pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies. In Grover’s case it’s within company rules to offer a trip to a business customer to one of the showrooms to view and get more details regarding medical equipments latest software and technology. This can be considered a bride but it’s not as obvious as cash. Cash bribery’s is not allowed, and would be a mistake. The hospital that Al Humaidi works for is a government owned one with a large budget to work with so if Grover offered money this wouldn’t be viewed as an incentive to buy the medical equipment.In Egypt companies give the mangers of the client gifts depending on the field that the company works in and how popular and attractive the actual product being offered is. I remember a famous company that produces the devices that measures blood sugar level, in a way to pr omote its devices the company offered the product free to the physicians and the pharmacies with the strips needed so the physician can use it himself on patients or give it as a gift or use it in his clinic and the pharmacy of course will use it to measure the blood sugar level for the customer.The company will get double benefit, the physician and the pharmacy will advertise the product to the patient by using this device and the patient will be advised to buy one. Q3) Grover has limited options that may be acceptable. There are 4 options I see as possible the first one is to continue in his way of conducting business. Grover’s current plan of action is morally and ethically safe, will not break any rules of the company or of his conscious but he may lose the deal.The second option is to proceed with the trip offer which will give him a chance to win the deal and in the same time he can document it as a business expense so it will not look as a bribe. As a show of commitmen t Grover should accompany Al Humaidi to the trip to help build a long lasting relationship. By going on the trip with Al Humaidi he can try to secure the current sale and also build for the future by assuring Al Humaidi that Medical Equipment INC. will be ready to work with him and be there for support and logistical backup and no also provide the best, outstanding technology for a reasonable price.The third option is to create a plan B and try to secure a sale regardless of the size, just to try and get in good favor with Al Humaidi with a potential of future business. It seems that even with careful analysis and generating a sales plan that offered all the best equipment according to the hospitals needs; this was still not adequate to secure the sale. From what Grover knows now he can create a plan B and modify the list of equipment that is offered and tailor it to the needs of the engineering and cardiology department only.The ECG machine that is being offered is far superior to that of the equivalent product that Wilson’s is offering. Knowing this and already having established a positive relationship with Dr. Saxman, Grover can push the two products that appeal more to the hospital. If the desired sale of $725,000USD worth of equipment is out of reach, then Grover could go forward with plan B and put an emphasis on the two ranges of products that Medical Equipment INC. has the edge over.While implementing this plan Grover already knows he is in good place with the cardiology department and engineering department so he could meet again with the purchasing manager Sultan and persuade him to schedule a meeting between the cardiology, engineering department, Sultan and Al Humaidi to discuss the new plan. This way not only would Grover have the support of the department but he would have a Saudi in Sultan to help push this new idea. Al Humaidi will be still able to take the two devices from Grover and take the other devices the hospital needs from Najja r.In the case it was mentioned that the low or high estimation of the order is wrong and will result in losing the deal but in Grover case he make the right evaluation of the need of the hospital but he will provide just 2 devices of these needs and this is acceptable, during my work in a governmental institution that need medical devices I saw a lot of deals involve buying the needs of the institution from 2 and 3 different companies depend on the price and the quality of the devices each company offers. So it is not weird or strange to just provide part of the needs even when you can provide it all it depends on the situation of the deal.The One option that would cause him to lose the deal is to offer cash to Al Humaidi. For one Grover would not be able record the cash gift and it would be highly against company ethic code. If an unethical cash type bride was offered, Grover would not be able to predict the reaction of Al Humaidi and the deal could be lost and Grover could risk hi s job or worse be deported from the country. Q4) I think the best option is to go with the trip option. In my field of work in pharmacy I saw these trips happen a lot and it is a common practice in the pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies.It’s an acceptable way to close the deals and gives the seller a higher percentage of closing the deal. So I think this trip will give him a great opportunity to win this deal especially if he went with the director in it and build a good relation with him and at the same time Grover won’t risk his position in the company because it is not considered a bribe or unethical for the medical equipment’s company. If the trip did not secure the deal he can always use plan B which will be easier to use after the trip because of the good relation he built with Al Humaidi.

Eu Integration Theories-Neofunctionalism

EEU Integration Theories:Neo-Functionalism â€Å"Any comprehensive theory of integration should potentially be a theory of disintegration. † (Schmitter, 2002: 4) Introduction Neo-functionalism, as the first integration theory of EU to form a regional cooperation, is a theory of collective security and collective development but there was a compromise, a negative side: interdependence; sometimes `excessively? to a supranational authority and the risk of by-passing of nation state.The balance of the scale was rather sensitive and it was both supported and rejected by many passionately. This paper tries to find an answer to the question â€Å"What is the significance of the neo-functionalist theory for integration process of the EU and what are the dynamics and causes of the decline in mid 1960s and its renaissance after 1980s? † and deals with the theory from a very limited perspective. Its predecessors and successors will be kept out of discussion but a closer view to th e phases of neo-functionalism will be provided.The main argument of this paper is that, in its first phase between 1950s until the mid 1960s, neo-functionalism suffered from abstraction of the power of nation state in a period in which supranational governance was not thoroughly internalized; whereas, with the deepening of integration process and theoretical contributions by scholars, enabled neo-functionalism to see the reality of integration through a more realist and mature perspective and to be more comprehensive in terms of realizing the power of myriads of actors in the integration process during its second phase after mid 1980s.In the first part, definition of neo-functionalism and its importance in the post WW II context will be given. In the second part, the theory will be elaborated with its core concepts and in the third part, criticisms of the theory will be given from both empirical and theoretical grounds. In the fourth and last part, the recent history of neo-function alism will be evaluated and the revival period will be elabotared in connection with the recent aspects of European integration. 1. Definition of Neo-functionalism and its importance in the post WW II context The Europe after the two world wars had a catastrophic burden.Although numbers vary, around 35 million in the first and around 55 million casualties depicted the highest number of losses in the history of mankind. As a precursor to United Nations, League of Nations failed to prevent the road to the second world war primarily due to lacking an armed forces of its own; moreover, nation states hardly had the enthusiasm to support any formation that limited their sovereignty. The pain and destruction after the two wars created an incentive to cooperate for further economic and human losses.Neo-functionalism is conceptualized by Ernst B. Haas in this context to explain boosting of regional cooperation and create interdependence in such a way that any conflict would result in great e conomic losses, which prevents rational states from further conflicts. â€Å"Then came along the political project of creating a united Europe, which had the result of creating a myriad of institutions in which very, very many people participated. †¦ These institutions developed a permanence through which both French and German †¦ learned to do routine business with each other every day.A problem which they experienced was a common problem. †¦ first comes the traumatic lesson, then comes the institution for learning to deal with each other† (Haas, 2000: 16 in Risse, 2004:1). The case of European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was the example that Haas took to exemplify this cooperation to integration process. The ECSC was the first organisation based on supranational integration, with the states that composed them pooling a whole range of national powers (European Nagivator, The European Communities).Until it was merged to the European Commission in 1967, The High Authority governed the ECSC to provide a common market in terms of coal and steel. â€Å"The Six (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) opted for integration and supranationalism as the means of unification. † (Henig, 1997:12) For Haas, political integration is â€Å"the process whereby political actors in several distinct national settings are persuaded to shift their loyalties, expectations, and political activities toward a new centre, whose institutions possess or demand jurisdiction over the pre-existing national states† (Haas 1958,16).According to neo-functionalist thinking â€Å"the fundamental idea was that international relations shouldn`t be seen as a zero sum game, and that everybody wins when countries become involved in processes of economic and political integration† (Stroby-Jensen in Cini, 2007:84). The main reason for this arguments is one of the key concepts of neo-functionalism, namely spillover, which will be su bstantiated in the next part. 2. Main concepts of Neo-functionalist theory The Spillover thesisNeo-functionalist theory assumes that cooperation in a certain area triggers cooperation in several other areas areas (sometimes not previously planned ones) to achieve a through integration in the original area and creates new political goals (Stroby-Jensen in Cini, 2007:84). According Neo-functionalism the logic of spillover is central to explain the expansive logic of European integration and in this part three main types of spill over will be briefly identified to understand this expansive logic with a closer view.The first type of spill over is the functional or technical spillover, which suggests some sectors are so interdependent to each other that, it is impossible to isolate them and further integration is the key to prevent further problems. In other words, it takes place â€Å"when integration in one industry/sector creates its own impetus and necessitates further integration b oth in the same, and in other industries/sectors† (Howell, 2002:17).The second type is the political spillover according to which policy areas are purposefully linked together due to ideological reasons, sometimes as â€Å"package deals† (Stroby-Jensen in Cini, 2007:85). With such integration, the actors will realise their benefits in the international level instead of national one and form international coalitions (Haas, 1968:34). So the elites will learn to pursue their benefits in the international level and â€Å"refocus their activities, expectations and even loyalties to the new center† (Tranholm-Mikkelsen, 1991:4).The third type of spillover is the cultivated spillover which puts emphasis on central institutions like the Commission especially when nation states aren`t willingful for further integration. So it is assumed â€Å"that the European Commission will be pro-active in the management of European integration† (Howell, 2002:17). But the importa nt point here is that the central institutions such as the Commission act â€Å"not only as mediators, but also more directly as agents of political integration or as `policy enterpreneurs`† (Stroby-Jensen in Cini, 2007:85).Elite Socialization and Supranational Interest Group Thesis The second and the third thesis of neo-functionalism are elite socialization thesis and supranational interest group thesis. â€Å"The elite socialization thesis describes that over time civil servants and politicians involved on a regular basis in the supranational policy process will tend to develop European loyalties and preferences† (Mailand, 2005:6). This loyalty would result in prioritizing the European interests rather than the national ones in the framework of pan-European norms and ideas.This formation of European-minded agents result in a common European identity. The latter one, the supranational interest group thesis, argues the presence of interest groups putting pressure on go vernments to accelerate the integration process based on their economic and political interests. â€Å"Organized interest groups are also expected to become more European, as corporations and business groups formulate their own interests with an eye to the supranational institutions† (Stroby-Jensen in Cini, 2007:87).They â€Å"may ally themselves with supranational institutions like the European Commission in pursuing their agendas† (Ozcan, 2008:8). 3. Main criticisms for the Neo-functionalist theory The power of a theory is closely related with its accuracy of prediction. That is why neo-functionalism was considered to be quite convincing around 1950s and 1960s. From the middle of 1960 the theory suffered a great deal due to the incompatibilities with reality until its renaissance around mid 1980s due to the developments in integration process.But in this part the main criticisms towards neo-functionalism before its revival will be elaborated with its imperfections un der empirical and theoretical grounds. From an empirical grounds perspective, due to its attempt for being a grand theory, neo-functionalist school put forward some great assumptions, the most attention drawing of which is the emphasis on incremental integration rather than with fluctuations during the integration process of Europe.On the one hand, compared to its predecessor functionalism (as mentioned at the beginning of the paper, due to the limitations, the contextual approach to neo-functionalism is abstracted from this paper), neo-functionalism takes into consideration the non-automated integration; but on the other hand, ironically, based on spill over concept, neo-functionalism did not take into consideration the possibility of spill-back until the middle of 1960s, which can shortly be defined as the process of disintegration and â€Å"withdraw from joint obligations† (Schmitter, 2002:20), and downgrading their commitment to mutual cooperation.The most explicit exampl e would be the Empty Chair Crisis â€Å"From 30 June 1965 to 29 January 1966, in disagreement with the Commission of the European Communities on the financing of the common agricultural policy (CAP), France's representatives refuse to attend any intergovernmental meetings of the Community bodies in Brussels† (European Navigator, The Empty Chair Crisis). The French president Charles de Gaulle who had a military background created a huge crisis which ended up with the Luxembourg Compromise in 1966.The main reason for this was the gradual transition from unanimous voting to qualified-majority voting as provided for in the Treaty of Rome with effect from 1966 (Europa Glossary, Luxembourg Compromise). The crisis due to the intergovernmental view of French government formed the end of the first phase of neo-functionalism, leaving its place to a nation-state dominated perception of integration. From a theoretical grounds perspective, neo-functionalist school was criticized for the i nability to predict the nature of integration.Concerning this, even Haas himself acknowledged that â€Å"What once appeared to be a distinctive `supranational? style now looks more like a huge regional bureaucratic appendage to an intergovernmental conference in permanent session. † (Haas, 1975:6). As it is mentioned in the empirical grounds part, the concept of spill over was seen not to reflect the realities of integration process all the time. The second important critique from a theoretical point of view is towards the elite socialization thesis, which mainly assumes the development of supranational loyalties and identities.This criticism argues that in fact it is not possible to separate the servants from their national roots and even if they are paid and appointed by a supranational authority, they may still have a â€Å"larger ear† (Dihm, 2010: Field Trip to Brussels Meeting) for their national backgrounds either due to due their previous networks or nationalist sentiments. The third criticism focuses on the nature of neo-functionalism, which gives the main importance on the supranational character of international relations.Again taking into consideration the empirical criticism, the intergovernmental aspect was underestimated in case of national interests by the neo-functionalist school and the main criticism was towards an analysis which is more centered on intergovernmental aspects. 4. The revival of Neo-functionalism in the late 1980s and early 1990s Although Neo-functionalism lost its popularity after the middle of 1960s (after a period of popularity in 1950s and first half of 1960s), it started to gain its popularity due to the revitalization of EU integration process.This renewed interest is closely associated with the Single European Act (1986) which brought forward creation of an internal market in EU until 1992. â€Å"To facilitate the establishment of the internal market, the act provides for increasing the number of cases in which the Council can take decisions by qualified majority voting instead of unanimity† (Europa. eu, Single European Act). This accelerated the integration process in many ways besides removing trade barriers only, making the concept of spillover frequently referred to once again after a long slumber.Nevertheless according to some, this renewal would not be sufficient to understand the linear progression of social events. â€Å"As social scientists, we wish for theories about the social world to build on each other in some linear fashion but more often than not we observe, instead, a cyclical pattern by which different schools of thought replace each other in commanding out attention over time. Leading figures in the various theoretical traditions follow this same pattern† (Orru, 1988:115).But this was merely a cyclical pattern in fact when a closer analysis is made concerning the main theoretical aspects of the renaissance of neo-functionalism. After the theory strengt hened by the developments in EU, the most significant contribution came from Alec Stone Sweet and Wayne Sandholtz`s â€Å"European Integration and Supranational Governance†. Their main argument is given at the beginning of their article as â€Å"We argue that European integration is provoked and sustained by the development of causal connections between three factors: transnational exchange, supra-national organization, and European Community (EC) rule-making. (Stone-Sweet, Sandholtz, 1997:297) and their main emphasis is on â€Å"cross-border transactions and communications that generate a social demand for EC rules and regulation† and institutionalization due to EC rules and as endresult â€Å"this process provokes further integration† (Stone-Sweet, Sandholtz, 1997:297). As seen above, their theory is based on a sense of causality and their position is in between the intergovernmental and supranational politics which is seen as a continuum and â€Å"the conti nuum measures the increasing influences of three factors on policy-making processes and outcomes within any given policy sector.These factors are: (1) supranational organizations; (2) supranational rules; and (3) transnational society† (Stone-Sweet, Sandholtz, 1997:303). Bargaining takes place between a number of actors to decide on which end of the continuum is more predominant during the decision making process; nevertheless, since they also take into consideration the intergovernmental aspect, they argue â€Å"the grand bargains are, by definition, intergovernmental† (Stone-Sweet, Sandholtz, 1997:307).They not only take into consideration the intergovernmental policies, but also accept them existing in all stages and parts of the decision making system by saying â€Å" In fact, intergovernmental decision-making is ubiquitous in the EC, present even at the far right-hand pole of our continuum [which is Supranational Politics]† (Stone-Sweet, Sandholtz, 1997:306) .What they take as their starting point to their theory constitutes the core point of their argument, which is the society as the determinant actor especially â€Å"non-state actors who engage in trans-actions and communications across national borders, within Europe† (Stone-Sweet, Sandholtz, 1997:306). It will be the people to demand a certain standard of European rules standards and â€Å"as transnational exchange rises, so does the societal demand for supranational rules and organizational capacity to regulate† (Stone-Sweet, Sandholtz, 1997:306).Stone-Sweet and Sandholtz also make a check of their argument by looking at â€Å"Eurosclerosis†. â€Å"The period from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s in the context of European integration is often referred to as an era of stagnation or eurosclerosis. † (Awesti, 2006:2). Stone-Sweet and Sandholtz argue that during this period starting from the Empty Chair Crisis to The Single European Act in other words  " In the worst days of ‘Eurosclerosis' in the 1970s, levels of intra-EC trade and other forms of exchange soared† and they point out a direct correlation between the integration process and the exchanges that take place.As seen, transaction based integration theory is depicted as a process which is mainly driven by the volume of transactions taking place for a thorough integration process by triggering a vast extent of regulations in myriads of areas. Conclusion Mentioned as the first words of this paper â€Å"Any comprehensive theory of integration should potentially be a theory of disintegration† (Schmitter, 2002:4), Schmitter highlights that the strength and weakness of neo-functionalism is rather similar and what creates integration may end up with disintegrative consequences.Being accepted as the first of the integration theories, neo-functionalism has had a very debated place due to its defying characteristics against the sovereignty of nation states. When a ll the information given above is summed up, it would be possible to say that the time span in which a theory exists in, is crucial for its existence. In other words, the perceptions and conditions of its age is of great importance to decide on the consistency of a theory.Neo-functionalism suffered due to the theoretical assumptions and the realities of integration process in its first phase; nevertheless, the notion of supranationality seemed to be better absorbed and digested by the nation-states in its second phase. Another significant determinant factor about the life of a theory that one can deduct by looking at the example of neo-functionalism is the level of abstractions. How much a theory shall abstract and accept is a major question and although in the first phase Haas didn`t totally deny the authority of nation-states, due to the sensitivities of the age, the theory weakened considerably.Even if they don? t define themselves as neo-functionalists, Stone-Sweet and Sandholtz `s approach to integration process as a continuum between the two poles of sovereignty brought a fresh start for the decision-making and integration process of EU. All in all, today neo-functionalism with its renewed form, is one of the most significant theories to observe and understand the dynamics of integration process of EU together with all the bargaining process that takes place between the actors involved.

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The Power of the U.S. Supreme Court WK6 - Essay Example Consequently, the U.S. courts interpret the United States Congress inspired laws. The court’s decision includes preventing the police officers from forcibly and illegally conducting illegal search evidences and forcing self-incriminating confessions. The federal courts should accept the concept that the United States Congress’ constitution ensures the police officers should not abuse the citizen’s rights against illegal searches and illegally obtained evidences and confessions. The Miranda law continues to be one of the significant victories for the rights of suspects, a stunning win of the U.S. Supreme Court over Congress. The Courts’ interpretation and implementation of the constitution includes making decisions on the 2000 United States presidential elections, abortion, affirmation action, as well as elimination of school segregation policies. Furthermore, the Supreme Court’s Dickerson decision has implications for the federal exclusion rule. The Dickerson case affirmed the constitutionality or legality of the Miranda Doctrine1, enforcing the fourth Amendment. Dickerson filed a complaint stating a police officer DiFilippo attached a GPRS tracking device under his car, without permission, to track the travels of the suspected drug dealer, Dickerson. The rule states that all evidence taken without a search warrant, including the Dickerson drug evidences, illegally violated the suspect’s Miranda rights to self-incrimination (http://w.info.com/) In addition to the above discussion, The United States Congress can modify the laws that do not conflict with constitutional provisions2. The Circuit court incorporates Professor Cassell’s insistence that Miranda Rights reduces conviction of voluntary confessors by stating the United States Congress’ Act 3501 expressly overrides the Miranda Doctrine by focusing on the overall situation, not the Miranda Doctrine (https://wsws.org/). In short, the victim’s voluntary confession,

How can Amazon Web Services (AWS) reduce cost in the healthcare Term Paper

How can Amazon Web Services (AWS) reduce cost in the healthcare industry - Term Paper Example Additionally, the ever rising healthcare costs are one more concern that needs to be dealt with and also improving the quality of service to patients. Efforts are being made to try and reduce for patients and information technology acting as the primary enabler for this. It will be quite interesting to observe how these services will contribute towards and address these matters in the health industry. The aim of this paper is to discover the present-day state and trending of these services in the healthcare industry. Problem identification and definition Healthcare organizations and hospitals are experiencing difficult times, having to cope with increasing service and product demands within their inadequate budgets, while at the same time complying with healthcare restructurings and regulations. For all the inventions transforming the healthcare business, there is still one area where it remains nearly universally late; the application of information technology. Most healthcare syste ms are based on analogue workflows which comprises of paper-based health records, duplicated test results, and handwritten note which are usually inefficient and inconvenient in one way or another. As a result, information retrieval and updating remains slow, this in turn, leads to incompetent provision of treatment and patient care (Bower, 2012). Problem solution Amazon Web Services (also known as AWS) is a pool of remote computing services (that are also referred to as web services) that all together form a cloud computing platform and services, accessible over the Internet via Amazon.com (Tyrrell, 2009). Amazon Web Services provide a complete set of application services and infrastructure that enable one to run virtually anything in the cloud: this represents everything from big data projects and enterprise applications to mobile apps and social games. These services, to name a few include: the amazon simple storage services known as S3: Amazon S3 offers an extremely durable and accessible store for an assortment of content, extending from media files to web applications. It lets you offload your whole storage arrangement onto the cloud, where you can gain from Amazon S3’s pay-as-you-go pricing and scalability to manage your growing storage needs, distributing your content straight from Amazon S3. Another important service is the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, EC2, which allows the renting of virtual computers to, different users, which to run their personal computer applications. A user can launch, create and terminate server instances paying for the services by the hour therefore the term elastic. Another valuable amazon service is the database storage which enables users to store and access large amounts of data. Whether one is keeping pharmaceutical data for scrutiny and analysis, fiscal data for pricing and computation, photographs for resizing, S3 is the best location for storage of original content. One can then send these contents to EC2 for r esizing, computation, or other large scale analytics without sustaining any data transfer charges for transferring the data between the services. (Soman, 2011 Pp. 78) There is a lot of conversation on Amazon web services and how these services could be used in a way to benefit healthcare practices. The healthcare industry, through Amazon Web Services, is able to reduce costs, improve care, and realize business suppleness amongst other

Bronx Community Health Assessment and Diagnosis Assignment

Bronx Community Health Assessment and Diagnosis - Assignment Example The main mission of setting up Bronx community assessments and diagnosis is driven by five factors. These as in Healthy People 2020 include: analysis of health status of the community as a whole; evaluation of the health resources, services and systems of care and hygiene within the community; assessment of attitudes towards community health services and issues; identification of priorities, determination of courses of actions to improve the health status of the community, and establishment of proper and achievable community health goals, and; establishment of an epidemiologic baseline for measuring improvement over time.So as to diagnose Bronx community, community analysis involving examination of the already generated data to define strengths, needs, barriers, readiness, opportunities, and resources to come up with a detailed and complete community profile would be necessary. Health indicators would therefore be based on the mortality rates, mobility rates, nutritional status, disa bility rates, utilization, socio-economic, health policy, life quality, social and mental, and environmental. For the specific purpose of this nursing case, however, much attention will be directed towards the health care delivery indicators such as equity in the provision of health care, doctor to population ratio, doctor to nurse ratio, inpatients to bed ratio, and finally population to health facilities’ ratio.In the cases of poor community nutrition related to the high number of fast-foods restaurants. and inadequate healthy eating habit establishments as may be evidenced by the concerns of the members of the Bronx community, health assessments and diagnosis exercises will be aimed at establishing the reasons for such eating habits and devising techniques that would help in the reduction of the number of average visits to the fast food restaurants per individual per a given duration of time in any given year (Herdsman, 2009). The Primary key to preventing such poor habits and promoting nutritious eating among the community member of Bronx would be to provide relevant education at the local food stores, super markets, and restaurants; and setting up agreements to place attention on healthier menu items. Secondary to this preventive method would be to offer free nutrition screening at all the local super markets or at offer

Educationall Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Educationall Leadership - Essay Example From this study it is clear that management is a process of organizing things and people to work together for an organization. The two types of management styles include scientific management and the human relations. The main purpose of scientific management is to increase the productivity of the individuals of an organization. It improves the productivity of an organization by increasing its production. As the discussion declares the role of a leader is to guide an organization towards a direction. It must be noted however that sometimes we may find leaders quite dominating. Another factor that encourages us to practice leadership is power motive which includes referent, legitimate rewards and coercive powers. Some important approaches in educational leadership include particular set of skills, style, traits, path goal, transformational, LMX and situational approaches. After understanding the concept of leadership we must know the difference between management and leadership. Manage ment is a process that helps an organization to perform its function whereas leadership focuses to achieve a certain goal and keep the individual motivated. In educational leadership, the leader should inspire other people to follow him. He should attract people towards his cause with the help of his personality. The leader should act friendly with other people and should have an appealing style.  

Import Regulation and Distribution Essay Example for Free

Import Regulation and Distribution Essay All goods imported into Canada are subjected to tariffs. For importing perfume pens from France, first of all, there must be a registered company in Canada which can import legally. CBSA, Canada Border Services Agency, has highlighted various steps for importing of goods into Canada. It insists that the company must apply for a â€Å"Business Number,† which is registration for an import-export account with the CRA, Canada Revenue Agency. Further, CBSA suggests that another registration is needed for the GST, Goods and Services Tax. This GST is levied on most of the goods that are imported into Canada, with exception to goods imported under NAFTA, North American Free Trade Agreement. Since perfume pens come under the category of perfumes and cosmetics, it becomes essential to consider the extra expenditure due to the tariff for importing from a manufacturing country other than the USA (in our case, France). Further, these tariffs will also vary with the ingredients of the perfume used in the imported pens. Since, the perfume pens made by the French manufacturer- Sensrise, have different fruit, oil and chocolate fragrances, it can be deduced from the CBSA tariff schedule that the tariffs will also vary. According to the IMMR, International Market Research Report from Industry Canada, import of perfumes from the USA account for 70% of Canada’s total import of these products, while France accounts only 12% of Canada’s total imports. Besides, Cosmetic Business (2003) reported that it is also mandatory to submit a Cosmetic Notification Form, CNF, to Product Safety Bureau of Health Canada. Further, it can be inferred from the report that it is the responsibility of the importer in Canada to ensure that the perfume pens must comply with the requirements of three legislations: The Food and Drug Act, The Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act, and The Canadian Broadcasting Act. Logistics and Distribution Freight charges will be levied for the cargo delivery of packed cartons of perfume pens according to the existing rates, which would depend on the mode of transportation: sea or air, the weight, the volume, and whether shipped as a single container or by sharing with other cargo. The perfume pens imported from France can be sold and distributed in the destination market of Vancouver through various channels. According to the IMMR, about 85% of the sales of cosmetics and toiletries to Canadian consumers are through retail channels like drug stores, departmental stores, mass merchandisers and food stores. A Google search lists some of the perfume distributors serving the retail markets in Vancouver. †¢ Distributors: The major perfume distributors serving the Vancouver area include: o Cosmolane, which are distributors for brands like Orlane, Annayake and Rubis o Scorpio, which are distributors for Diesel, Emporio Armani, Ralph Lauren, and to global inflight retail market o Globex, which are distributors for Gucci, Dolce Gabanna and Kenzo o Charmei Marketing Corp. and Town Distributors are also in the perfumes distribution business It must be mentioned that e-commerce can also be an effective direct marketing strategy to cater to the internet-savvy consumers. However, the IMMR warns that the consumer would still have to pay Canadian taxes and customs duties if the value of the postal or courier import exceeds the maximum permissible value. Based on the above preliminary research, it can be concluded that the French manufacturer of perfume pens, Sensrise would need a comprehensive research to devise an effective marketing strategy for selling its innovative and attractive perfume pens to the Canadian consumers. References Canada Border Services Agency. (n. d. ). A step-by-step guide to importing. Retrieved March 27, 2009, from http://www. cbsa. gc. ca/sme-pme/i-guide-eng. html Cosmetic Business. (2003). The Canadian Cosmetics Market. Retrieved from http://www. cosmetic-business. com/en/showartikel. php? art_id=22 Parent, M. (2003). International market research reports. Industry Canada. Retrieved from http://strategis. ic. gc. ca/eic/site/imr-ri. nsf/eng/gr109695. html

The Native American Medicine Man Essay Example for Free

The Native American Medicine Man Essay The Native American medicine man, also known as a shaman (modern term), priest, healer, and even a â€Å"Star Being† were known to be the spiritual leaders of Native American cultures. Each medicine man was unique in his own way simply because each Native American tribe had their own origin of spirituality and religious beliefs. Each medicine man had their own theory on how to rid people of their troubles and ease their pain when they were ill or in some sort of distress. In this research paper I will be examining different medicine man practices and beliefs from the Native American tribes of the Cheyenne, Iroquois, and the Sioux Indians. I will be discussing some of the most common illnesses that Native Americans faced among their tribes and what the medicine men or women did to help. I will also be discussing the different resources the medicine man used, including plants for herbal remedies and other objects, in his method of curing or helping a patient; and lastly I will be discussing how some techniques have been modernized and are still used today. To begin with our observation, let us start by understanding more about the medicine man himself and how the medicine man was perceived amongst his tribe. Even though each medicine man was unique in his practices, each medicine man shared a common adoration amongst their tribal members. In general, tribes have many similarities in regards to medical practices, but the actual methods used differ with the tribe and their locations, as well as with individual healers themselves. â€Å"Magic, prayers, songs, exhortation, suggestion, ceremonies, fetishes, and certain specifics and mechanical processes are employed only by the medicine-men or medicine-women; other specific remedies or procedures are proprietary, generally among a few old women in the tribe; while many vegetal remedies and simple manipulations are of common knowledge in a given locality. † The medicine man was not relied on to hunt and fish for food like other tribesmen were. The medicine man was more useful when he could be out spreading his tribes’ religious beliefs to others as well as bringing peace to those troubled or ill. The medicine man was much like our modern day doctor, priest, psychiatrist, and counselor all rolled up into one big package that was relied on to heal not only a person’s body but also a person’s spirit. He even sometimes served as a middle man to bring peace between humans troubled with other humans. The medicine man was like a virtual bridge between the natural world and the spiritual world for the benefit of his community. Practices and Beliefs As stated above, different techniques of healing were involved in a medicine man’smethods: Magic, prayers, songs and ceremonies were the most common. Magicwas used to oppose an alleged harmful influence, such as spirits of the dead, mythical animals, etc. Prayers in contrast, often addressed good spirits as the medicine man would try to call upon their aid while he was attending his patient. Healing songs consisted of prayers or exhortations and were sung. Loud ranting wasalso done to ward off evil spirits that wereknown to cause sickness; the loud noises was saidto frighten such evil spirits away. Ceremonies meant to cure a patient usually combined all or most of the techniques mentioned above. Some of them, as described about the Navaho Indians, were very complicated, drawn out, and tended to be costly. 3 â€Å"The fetishes used are peculiarly shaped stones or wooden objects, lightning-riven wood, feathers, claws, hair, figurines of mythic animals, representations of the sun, of lightning, etc, and are supposed to embody a mysterious power capable of preventing disease or of counteracting its effects. †3 Dieting and total self-restraint from food were also forms of treatment in some various localities. Cheyenne Indians. The Cheyenne Indians are known to be one of the most westerly tribes; at first they were located on the Cheyenne (obviously where they got their name), which is a branch of the Red River of the North. As they were driven by the Sioux Indians, they began to occupy beyond the Missouri, and eventually ending up near the Black Hills after being driven there near the end of the eighteenth century. The medicine man was a very important person for the Cheyenne. He was like a combination of a doctor, a priest, and a healer both of the body and of the spirit. He, like other medicine men not only knew about the proper use of native plants in his surrounding area that had medicinal properties, but he also knew various ceremonies, chants, and songs which were supposed to wield magical powers for the benefit of individuals or for the whole tribe. He, like other medicine men, accepted items for trade as a method of payment instead of U. S. currency. There are many types of religious beliefs and traditions passed on through generations that may influence the way the medicine man may aid those who are in need. The Cheyenne for example, believed in spirit beings which resided in our universe (which they called the universe to Hestanov) and their holiness was comparative to their relationship to their believed creator of all physical and spiritual life, Ma’heo’o. â€Å"In Cheyenne religious expressions, aspects of these spirit-beings or the spirit-beings themselves are entwined symbolically with plant and animal forms portrayed in Cheyenne ceremonies. Many Cheyenne today view the worlds ecological crisis as an end to Hestanov. † Disease came from both natural and supernatural causes for the Cheyenne. Curing techniques involved the use of herbal and root remedies, ritual purification, the sweat lodge, smoking, prayer, and sometimes surgery. Both men and women were healers. Treatment of sickness was designed to restore the patient not only biologically but spiritually as well. 8 Iroquois Indians The Iroquois Indians consisted of six tribes which were under one confederation: The Mohawk Indians, the Seneca, the Oneida, the Cayuga, the Onondaga, and the Tuscarora. The Iroquois tribes were spread throughout much of what we now call New York. The Iroquois Indians also believed in spirit-beings. They believed that plagues and diseases were caused by evil spirits; they attempted to cure the sick by holding a religious festival to ask for the aid of their great spirit to rid their people of the bad spirits. They also believe that disease can infect a person simply from not fulfilling their dreams or their desires. They believe that sometimes a person’s dreams can reveal what caused the disease, information which they used to cure the patient. To touch more on the basis of the Iroquois people’s belief in dreams (as this was a large part of their healing practices), they viewed dreams as â€Å"experiences of the soul in which we may travel outside the body, across time and space, and into other dimensionsor receive visitations from ancestors or spiritual guides†. They also believed that dreams revealed the wishes of one’s soul, which would dig deeper, beyond our own personal goals and those of others entwined with ours, to create a more spirited life. They believe that dreams also allow us to find â€Å"where our vital soul energy may have gone missingthrough pain or trauma or heartbreakand how to get it back. †7 Aside from their strong reliance from dreams, one of the most interesting objects that the Iroquois used during their healing rituals were wooden masks which were used to invoke spirits and the dream world. The healing ritual started off by telling the legendary history of how the mask came to be, the tribal members wearing the masks (known as the False Face Society members) would go through homes looking for anyone who is diseased or ill. If a sick person is found, they would perform the healing ritual which consisted of using rattles made out of turtle shells and blown ashes from tobacco. The ritual dancing continued throughout the ceremony and ended with a ceremonial ash blowing and finalized it with a feast. These rituals were known to be performed three main times during the year, and smaller ceremonies were held whenever an ill person requested or required it. 7 Navajo Indians The Navajo Indians were mainly located in the southwestern part of the United States, near Arizona and New Mexico. The medicine man of the Navajo culture was extremely important. The medicine man was not expected to just heal the ill and the injured, but he was also expected to hold the knowledge of their heritage, their traditions, and their beliefs of the Navajo culture. When the medicine man was called to perform a healing ceremony, he would come to heal and also come to tell the story of their people and how they emerged into this world. The medicine man of the Navajo Indians (as well as other medicine men) had a lot of knowledge he was expected to hold. He was expected to spend many hours learning different ceremonial procedures (usually a total of three). He was expected to learn songs and prayers, which none of the wording could be missed or only bad things could happen to the patient. He was expected to learn about many different types of herbs; as well as be expected to go out and gather the items he needed for his sacred medicine bag. He was also expected to purify himself by spending many hours with deep thoughts in a sweat hut. ; and he was also expected to have faith in the Great Spirit and in himself, all of which he needed to be able to successfully heal. The Navajo medicine man performed and learned several different ceremonies. Other than using the ceremonies to heal the ill, provide strength, and restore vitality to a patient; ceremonies were also held to celebrate a girls puberty called the Beauty Way ceremony and to celebrate a babys first laugh called the Hooghan Blessin Ceremony. Navajo ceremonies were basically held to restore ones beauty, harmony, balance, and ones health. There are said to be approximately fifty-eight to sixty sacred ceremonies. Most of them last four days or more; to be most effective, they require that relatives and friends attend and help out. Outsiders are often discouraged from participating in case they become a burden to others or violate a taboo. This could affect the turnout of the ceremony. The ceremony must be done in precisely the correct manner to heal the patient. This includes everyone that is involved. 14 Aside from the ceremonies (which seems to be the most popular form of healing for the Navajo), the medicine man would use several different methods to find out what the diagnoses is on a patient. He used objects such as crystal rocks or used a chanting prayer while he shook his hands over the patients body, reciting healing chants for whatever ailment he suspected the patient to have, sometimes the chant would last a few hours. Common Ailments/Diseases Some possible causes of ailments could be the result of violating taboos believed by their Native American cultures. Contact with lightning-struck objects for example, or being exposed to animals such as snakes which were considered to be a taboo animal, or even being in contact with the dead were some of reasons that required healing and chants. Warriors often suffered spiritual and psychological damage from taking part in warfare. They would come back and a ceremony called the Enemy Way Ceremony would be performed in order to help restore the harmony back to the person, both mentally and emotionally. Curses were other reasons the medicine man would need to attend a patient. It wasnt until the European colonizations arrived that diseases the Native Americans could not control began to take hold of thousands upon thousands of lives. Before the Europeans arrived, the most common ailments were common colds, injuries, violating local taboos, psychological injuries, and those which were believed to be invoked by both good and bad spirits. After the Europeans arrived, the Native Americans had no immunity towards the most deadly disease, smallpox. Smallpox seemed to have come in waves, even destroying entire villages, not only because Native Americans had no immunity, but because they did not know how to treat the disease either. Other common diseases at that time were scarlet fever, cholera, influenza, whooping cough, and many more. Resources Used for Curing Many plants were used for herbal remedies to cure those who were ill. Some plants were used as remedies without any thought as to what they actually did for the patient. Every tribe were aware of what the poisonous plants were in their surrounding areas, as well as their antidotes. Roots, occasionally twigs, leaves, bark, flowers and seeds were the most common plant parts used. The plants could be either fresh or dry, and most commonly the medicine man would extract the main ingredient he needed out of the plant. Generally only a single plant would need to be used, but among some Indians as many as four plants would be combined for a single medicine. 2 Animal and mineral substances were also occasionally used as remedies. Among Southwestern tribes the bite of a snake was often treated by applying to the wound a portion of the ventral surface of the body of the same snake. 2 Other animals used for remedies include: crickets, lizards, and spiders eggs. Navajo Indians as well as some other Indian tribes used reddish-orange earthy iron oxide combined with fat to apply externally to prevent sunburn. The red, barren clay from beneath a campfire was used by White Mountain Apache women to induce sterility; the Hopi blow charcoal, ashes, or other products of fire on an inflamed surface to counteract the supposed fire which causes the ailment. 2 Objects were also used to help cure ailments. One object, for example, was used in Blackfeet Indians ceremonies was called a sacred medicine bundle, which the medicine man used and was expected to sing four hundred lengthy chants without missing a word or getting a stanza out of place. 2 Rattles were also used to aid with chants, as well as other miscellaneous objects that the medicine man felt would help call the Great Spirits for aid. Related Methods Used Today Presently, most Native Americans use modern medicine to cure afflictions, but native healers are still used by many people today. There are hospitals located on Indian reservations where modern day Native American doctors still perform healing chants to their patients. Other methods of healing, such as aromatherapy, is said to derive from Native Americans because with aromatherapy, candles, oils, and different things which produce a scent can alter ones mood as well as enhance the body, the mind, and the spirit. Many of the herbs used by Native Americans are the ones you can actually find in aspirin and other medications today. Many ingredients used in various modern medications are actually derived from Native American cultures. 17 Several over- the counter and prescription drugs contain ingredients such as taxol, ergot, and vincristine, which were derived from Native American medicinal herbs. The OAM reported that cough drops that contain menthol, mint, horehound, or lemons are herbal preparations; chamomile and mint teas taken for digestion or a nervous stomach are time- honored herbal remedies; and many simple but effective OTC ache- and pain- relieving preparations on every druggists or grocers shelf contain oils of camphor, menthol, or eucalyptus. Millions of Americans greet the morning with their favorite herbal stimulant coffee. 17 Conclusion Native American medicine men have played a huge role in my mind when it comes to our modern day medical treatments. Without their knowledge of our natural plant and animal resources, I believe it would have taken us quite a few more years before we would have discovered vaccinations for smallpox and treatments for other illnesses. I think we, decedents of our European ancestors, still greatly underestimate the knowledge of Native Americans†¦ even to this day. Native Americans kept themselves healthy and free of major epidemics of disease until the Europeans settled on their land. Before medical technology became available, doctors relied on the Native American knowledge of nature and natural resources to cure a persons illnesses. People started to depend heavily on the modern medical technology; forgetting about their roots in their Native American cultures. Advanced technology and improved medical ways seems to have made some people forget to thank and remember the Native American Indians who gave them their beginning knowledge to begin with. * Bibliography Cheyenne- Religion and Expressive Culture. http://www. everyculture. com/North-America/Cheyenne-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture. html (accessed May 16, 2011). Handbook of American Indians, 1906. Access Genealogy. 1999-2011. http://www. accessgenealogy. com/native/tribes/history/indianmedicine. htm (accessed May 16, 2011). Iverson, Peter, Jennifer Nez Denetdale, and Ada E. Deer. The Navajo. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2006. Lippert, Dorothy, and Stephen J Spignesi. Native American History For Dummies. Hoboken: Wiley Publishing Inc, 2008. Mazaska Enterprises, LTD. Indian medicine men, spiritual leaders, priests and shamans. AAANativeArts. com. 1999-2005. http://www. aaanativearts. com/medicine_men. htm (accessed May 16, 2011). Michaele. Support Native American Art. 2010. http://www. support-native-american-art. com/iroquois-masks. html (accessed May 15, 2011). Moss, Robert. Dreamways of the Iroquois: Honoring the Secret Wishes of the Soul. Rochester: Destiny Books, 2004. Native Languages of the Americas. Native Languages of the Americas: Native American Cultlures. 1998-2011. http://www. bigorrin. org/mohawk_kids. htm (accessed May 15, 2011). Navajo Tourism. Discover Navajo. 2008. http://discovernavajo. com/a11. html (accessed May 16, 2011). Paul. Son of the South. 2003-2008. http://www. sonofthesouth. net/american-indians/cheyenne-indians. htm (accessed May 15, 2011). Primitive Concept of Disease. University of California Publications in American Archeology and Ethnology, Vol. XXXII, 1932. Sandner, Donald. Navaho symbols of healing: a Jungian exploration of ritual, image, and medicine. Rochester: Healing Arts Press, 1991. Terpning, Howard. Medicine Man of the Cheyenne. National Academy of Western Art. Swoyers Fine Art Collections. The Study of Native Americans. February 11, 1998. http://inkido. indiana. edu/w310work/romac/native. htm (accessed May 16, 2011). Wolf, Melinda. Alternative Medicine: A journey to proactive healthcare. CNI Newspapers , 1999. [ 1 ]. (Terpning n. d. ) [ 2 ]. (Mazaska Enterprises, LTD 1999-2005) [ 3 ]. (Handbook of American Indians, 1906 1999-2011) [ 4 ]. (Paul 2003-2008) [ 5 ]. (Terpning n. d. ) [ 6 ]. (Cheyenne- Religion and Expressive Culture n. d. ) [ 7 ]. (Native Languages of the Americas 1998-2011) [ 8 ]. (Primitive Concept of Disease 1932) [ 9 ]. (Moss 2004) [ 10 ]. (Michaele 2010) [ 11 ]. (The Study of Native Americans 1998) [ 12 ]. (Navajo Tourism 2008) [ 13 ]. (Navajo Tourism 2008) [ 14 ]. (Iverson, Nez Denetdale and Deer 2006).

Analysis of Starbucks and the coffee industry

Analysis of Starbucks and the coffee industry Starbucks is the worlds largest and most popular coffee company. Since the beginning, this premier cafà © aimed to deliver the worlds finest fresh-roasted coffee (Starbucks Heritage, 2010). Today the company dominates the industry and has created a brand that is tantamount with loyalty, integrity and proven longevity. Starbucks is not just a name, but a culture. Extensive research has provided keen insight as to why the entity has become the multibillion dollar empire that it is. The company has received many high accolades also, for their quality products as well as their commitment to the community, their partners, and the environment. BACKGROUND Starbucks was founded in 1971 by teachers Jerry Baldwin and Zev Siegl, along with writer Gordon Bowker. Coffee first originated in the Moslem population before making its way to Europe in the 1600s. It eventually became the beverage of choice at meeting places where intellectuals would converge, and was recognized for both its sociability and taste then, just as it is now. (Starbucks and the lifecycle of specialty coffee: An industry evolving, 2010). The foundation of this commerce is one Starbucks strives to keep although the business has come a long way from the modest storefront it began as. For over 15 years the company was based solely in Seattle, Washington but has since evolved into an international giant with over 16,000 locations in more than 50 countries. The growth of the company has been simply phenomenal, with approximately 1,000 stores being added to its chain each year for the last decade. Howard Schultz, who is now the current chairman, president and CEO of the compan y, was indispensible to this expansion and has been instrumental in establishing the development of the coffeehouse as we know it today (Starbucks Timeline and Heritage, 2010). One of the most critical components a business should have is a vision and mission statement. According to an online article, these pieces of information are defined as the inspiring words chosen by successful leaders to clearly and concisely convey the direction of the organization (Unleashing the Power of Purpose, 2010). Starbucks has adopted a mission statement that aims to inspire and nurture the human spirit one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time (Starbucks Mission Statement, 2010). Further, there are six governing principles the company adheres to in an effort to fulfill their purpose and intentions. They are: To provide quality coffee. To treat partners with respect and dignity and to embrace diversity. To create a relationship that is satisfying and uplifting for customers. To produce a store ambiance that is comfortable and enjoyable. To nurture, protect and invest in the community. To provide accountability and favorable rewards to shareholders. The application of these values has helped Starbucks launch to its current status as being one of the best 100 places to work, according to Forbes magazine, with an astonishing 140,000 employees. Outside of the local neighborhood, Starbucks can be found in airports, malls, supermarkets, and even bookstores all around the globe. Like most other companies, Starbucks relies heavily on its investors to help fund business operations, generally through the stock market, and can be found on NASDAQ under the symbol SBUX. Until 2008, profitability was on the rise but has since decreased due to downfalls in the economy and impeding competitors such as Dunkin Donuts, BIGGBY, and Caribou Coffee. Cost reductions and improved operating efficiencies alone would not be enough to boost sales in this economy. Improved customer service and the ability to aggressively differentiate and innovate have kept Starbucks ahead of their competition. Starbucks saw customer satisfaction scores increase by 10 percent as a result of their efforts to improve customer service. Some changes include more focus toward in-store offerings, simplifying the demands on the partners, raising the already-high standards for beverage and food offerings, and an overall in-store experience (Starbucks Investor Relations, 2010). Despite tough economic times, the company had an impressive finish in 2009 with approximately 21,600 shareholders, $562 billion in operating income, and net revenues totaling $9.8 billion. As of October 8, 2010, the current stock price was $26.07 a share with a 52 week high of $28.50 and a low of $18.69 (Market Watch). Starbucks is expected to continually recover from their losses and is estimated to grow even more over the next few years as illustrated below (Bloomberg Business Week, 2010). Quarterly Earnings Estimates STARBUCKS CORP (SBUX) EPS Earnings Per Share Pre Exceptional Q1 2011 Starbucks Corp. reported 3rd quarter 2010 earnings of $0.29 per share on 07/21/2010. Quarterly Revenues STARBUCKS CORP (SBUX) Q1 2011 Starbucks Corp. had 3rd quarter 2010 revenues of $2.6B. This bettered the $2.5B consensus of the 16 analysts covering the company. This was 3.0% above the prior years 3rd quarter results. Reproduced from Bloomberg Business Week. One of the reasons Starbucks is dominating the coffee industry is due to their willingness to take risks and try out new ideas. An example of just how popular Starbucks has become is evident after a quick Google search produced well over 5 million hits, with products ranging from the handcrafted beverages many have grown to love, to merchandise and gift cards. The company continues to offer new products, such as whole grains and the use of other wholesome ingredients in their brands. They have also changed portions of their food offerings to simplify recipes and remove artificial trans-fat, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors and dyes (Starbucks Nutrition, 2010). In-store products include fresh food, music, and the very popular Tazo Tea which is a label purchased by Starbucks in 1998. Starbucks has also increased its trademark and now promotes ice cream, ready-made mixed drinks, and VIA, an instant coffee that is manufactured through the companys own roasting facility (Starb ucks Profile, 2010). ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND CULTURE After conducting eight interviews, there was a general consensus that the Starbucks hierarchy ranged from immediate supervisors to higher management officials. Some employees interpreted organizational structure to be a form of the way management divides duties and responsibilities amongst employees, while others considered it to be teamwork, meaning, when everyone comes together to meet the same goals; the unique way business is conducted; and the flow/channels of the company and management impact. These definitions go hand-in-hand with organizational culture. In the book Organizational Behavior, authors describe such a climate as the shared knowledge within an organization regarding the rules, norms, and values that shape the attitudes and behaviors of its employees (Colquitt, Lepine, Wesson, p. 557). Some of the components involved in the culture of an organization are observable artifacts, espoused values, and basic underlying assumptions (Colquitt, et al., p. 558). Together these three elements makeup what can be related to as being the body of an organization. For example, what a person sees through images and logos helps to distinguish one brand from another. Further, the physical setup of an establishment often sets the atmosphere or tone which tends to decipher a company from being an office, department store, mechanics shop, or in the case of this study, a coffeehouse. Some Starbucks are more casual such as in medical establishment or movie theater, whereas other places require a little more sophistication such as in a courthouse. Additionally there are usually bulletins, replicas or other signs on the walls of the business that speaks the unique language of the respective location. There might also be organizational charts displayed, which is a drawing that represents eve ry job in the organization and the formal reporting relationships between those jobs (Colquitt, et al., p. 527). When a person walks into a Starbucks it is clear that you have just entered into a cafà © that is designed to be a tranquil meeting place for family, friends, students or even business partners. LEADERSHIP ROLES RESPONSIBILITIES At Starbucks, employees feel the atmosphere is relaxed, upbeat and/or energetic and most thought working together as a group was encouraged. They also appear to have a clear understanding of leadership and what it entails, although not everyone agreed management styles were the best. Several interviewees thought management appeared arrogant and demanding at times, while others thought the complete opposite of their managers defining them as being friendly, caring and considerate. While most interviews had distinct and varying responses, it can be said that every person believed they were valued and appreciated. Many also felt they were a part of the decision-making process at times, where their thoughts and opinions on a particular issue were gathered, although the final decision still lay with management. One type of occurrence that displays this level of commitment to employees was the implementation of Optimal Scheduling which is the result of an employee request. The initiative of the program was to enhance the existing flexible work schedules to allow opportunities for a more regular arrangement, complete with a consistent timetable and increased hours to those who were available. It also allowed customers the opportunity to develop relationships with staff which is a part of the Starbucks vision, to connect with its customers beyond making a perfectly blended drink (Starbucks Newsroom). STRESS FACTORS COPING MECHANISMS An overall satisfaction with ones current position was the general consensus obtained from the dialogue as well. Most considered their rate of pay to be less than desired and unable to meet long term goals. A lot of the discussions were with college students who favored upward mobility whether through Starbucks or elsewhere. Aside from pay, stress seemed to be high on the list of reasons for being dissatisfied also. Stress is defined as a psychological response to demands that possess certain stakes and that tax or exceed a persons capacity or resource. Such demands are referred to as stressors while the negative consequences are considered the strains (Colquitt, et al., p. 144). Most of the stressors at Starbucks was caused by issues with partners, budgets, or performance. Role overload was another factor that seemed to affect many of the managers interviewed due to pressure to get daily tasks done in a timely manner, such as paperwork and conference calls. There were also a lot of unforeseen assignments like equipment malfunctions and call-ins. While some stress is an everyday part of life, excessive stress interferes with ones productivity and reduces a persons physical and emotional health; therefore, it is vitally important to find ways to help keep it under control. Some steps to help reduce stress and avoid pitfalls while at work include taking responsibility for improving your physiological and psychological well-being, identifying negative attitudes that add to the stress at work, and learning better communication skills to ease and improve the relationships with management and coworkers (Stress at Work, n.a.). ORGANIZATIONAL STRENGTHS Customer Loyalty Service Customer service at Starbucks is actually a culture type focused on service and quality (Colquitt, et al., p. 562). In addition to the vast presence in the United States, the company has 9,000 international coffeehouses in almost 40 countries. It seems that no matter where they serve, their reputation for fine products and services remains intact, as well as their brand preference and strong customer base. By extensively training employees for at least twenty hours prior to full employment, Starbucks maximizes employee responsibility and attentiveness in an effort to decrease wait time for its customers. Furthermore, by closely tracking consumer needs and wants, Starbucks is able to introduce more popular products with less time between presenting new items. By decreasing wait time and increasing choices for customers, Starbucks increases loyalty among current regulars while simultaneously attracting more consumers. Another cornerstone for Starbucks success is the opening of additional stores in various communities. By adding more locations, the frequency of visits by supporters is usually also maximized, especially since the Starbucks label is already so popular. In addition, many of these new stores are being developed with a drive-thru for double the convenience. With this, Starbucks is targeting a particular segment of its customer base that is comprised of professionals and on-the-go parents. To measure the effectiveness of these strategies, Starbucks continuously compares data between newly opened stores and existing stores, trying to increase the profitability of both units while maintaining a steady growth rate. This pattern can be outlined by the Service Culture Process which starts out with service-oriented leadership behavior that impacts both customer and employee attitudes. If favorable, sales would likely increase as a result of high performance (Colquitt, et al., pp. 562-564). Employee Retention Job Satisfaction As the old saying goes, you are as strong as your weakest link. This belief seems to be highly recognized by Starbucks as they remain adamant about investing in their staff providing them with training, benefit packages, and other opportunities to advance. Since most of the advertising stems from inter-relation between staff and consumers, Starbucks is able to expend more of their budget on educating their staff which in turn influences both quality and quantity. Such a plan also strengthens the work environment, creating an atmosphere where workers are confident about their knowledge, skills and abilities regarding the products they serve. It is also a reason why their employees continue to feel valued and appreciated which is one of the two top reasons people work for the company. The other reason is that employees feel the teams at Starbucks are very enthusiastic (Hammers, 2003), and a happy employee typically makes a happy customer. Another explanation as to why Starbucks employees remain with the company is their great compensation and competitive benefits packages which are available to both full-time and part-time workers. In fact, the corporate staff is very forward thinking and believes offering healthcare benefits would attract a higher quality of employees which, consequently, would cause the turnover rate to decrease. Time has proven this strategy to be true. For example, at the time of inception, the turnover rate for retail or fast food ranged between 150% and up to as high as 400% a year but for Starbucks it was only 60% at the barista level and 25% at the managerial level which is the lowest in their industry (Schultz, p. 128). Starbucks employees also benefit from the Bean Stock incentive which is the offering of stock ownership to all workers. It is a really good way to get employees involved in the equity of the business, and even more reason for each individual to strive for success and treat cus tomers with exceptional service (Colquitt et al., p. 135). Strong Financial Foundation With its strong financial base, Starbucks is able to undertake new business ventures much more frequently than other companies. This is largely due to its investors who have been able to buy company shares since 1992. At the time, shares were $17 each, today the rate of exchange has increased by more than half which is a great benefit to shareholders. Stock can be purchased through a broker or via a direct buy. Additionally, over 20 analysts cover Starbucks earnings and an estimated 10,000 shareholders attended the companys annual meeting in 2008 (Investor Relations, 2010). Today, the company has well over 20,000 shareholders with little signs of slowing down. The company is also very committed to corporate social responsibility, to include their economic, legal, ethical, and citizenship expectations of society (Colquitt, et al., p.244, p. 524). They were the only restaurant and cafà © named as being one of the most ethical companies in the world (Ethisphere, n.a.), and has been on the list for many years. There are governing principles and charters specifically designed for these efforts which are to be strictly upheld by a team of 11 members that makeup the board of directors (Starbucks Corporate Governance, 2010). ORGANIZATIONAL WEAKNESSES Store Closures The mission to nurture one neighborhood at a time started to dwindle when over 600 Starbucks stores closed, causing the company to lose revenue and layoff thousands of workers. Undoubtedly, employee morale is not as high as it once was due to the fear of losing ones job. It has been said that The economic crisis is eating in to high-end coffee consumption, as Starbucks found out in its fiscal first quarter (Ahrens, 2009). At the time, reports revealed the coffeemaker would lay off up to 6,000 employees at its stores and let go another 700 non-store employees, half of which would come at the companys Seattle headquarters. First-quarter revenue at the coffee giant was also down 6 percent and earnings were down a venting-sized 69 percent. Additionally, the plan to open 140 new stores in the U.S. and 170 new stores internationally went down from its earlier goal of 200 and 270, respectively. Capital expenditures were expected to face at least a $100 million cut (Ahrens, 2009). Fierce Competition Since the economic downfall, customers are moving away from paying gourmet prices and are purchasing from other chains to include gas stations. Many consumers state they experience the same taste they crave without the steep prices. Starbucks competitors in the coffee beverage sales include Dunkin Donuts, BIGGBY Coffee and Caribou Coffee, as mentioned previously, as well as 7-Eleven, McDonalds, Panera Bread, and Einstein Bagels. Competitors such as McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts not only have extensive menus, but also the financial resources and position to leverage their strengths to threaten Starbucks profitability. In terms of perception, 7-Eleven and Dunkin Donuts provide coffee in a no-nonsense fashion, which attracts customers who are extremely price sensitive. Caribou Coffees environment is similar to that of Starbucks because of furniture, free internet, and cozy surroundings, but their lack of market expansion has prohibited them from gaining the notoriety Starbucks has achieve d. Finally, BIGGBY Coffee is in the middle ground where the likes of Dunkin Donuts and Caribou Coffee separate themselves (Bhaskar, 2009). Lack of Advertising In times past, Starbucks did very little advertising but relied on the infamous word-of-mouth approach to getting news out about their company. Most information came through the use of relation theory, mainly the relationship with staff. For example, no matter which market it entered, Starbucks did not advertise. Instead, broadcasts came via the reports of employees, and consumers quickly followed suit. Ads can now be seen on billboards and through social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, allegedly due to the drop in sales the coffeehouse experienced (Advertising Age, 2010). Financial Uncertainty As mentioned in the interviews, a lot of employees felt their salary was less than desired. At this time, there may not be much that can be done in this area, but the issue is still a factor nonetheless. The average barista salary is $8.64 per hour and shift supervisors earn about $10.68 per hour. The average salary for store managers is $42,698 per year (Starbucks Salaries, 2010). IMPLEMENTION PLAN RECOMMENDED CHANGES Starbucks is an organization that is on the move. However, no organization is exempt from implementing critical changes that can impact the growth of the organization. When organizations become as large as Starbucks, sometimes the focus and mission statement can be pushed to the side due to trying to keep up with the demand. Other times, there are situations beyond ones control, such as the financial woes the company experienced at the start of the recession a few years ago. One of the things Starbucks did to help revamp the business was create a website that encouraged public comments about changes they would like to see in the company. The page is located at www.MyStarbucksIdea.com and has been instrumental to developing innovative differences at the company. For the purposes of this assignment, other avenues the company may utilize are suggested below. More Programs In an effort to build upon an already exciting environment, Starbucks can liven the atmosphere even more with offering Band Performances and Poetry reading nights. This would be a bonus for the company since a lot of its competitors do not have such a setting available to them. They could utilize local musicians which would add to the companys desire to invest in the community. In addition, the implementation of Awareness Month is an option where a special drink is developed each month and every time someone orders the beverage, proceeds go to awareness charities such as a breast cancer, diabetes, or sickle cell foundation. In an effort to boost sales and promote the existing Going Green Goals of the company, daily discounts could be provided to customers who bring in their own coffee mug. The initiation of these options would give Starbucks an edge on their competitors without decreasing the product eminence Starbucks is known for. More Advertising Instead of relying on partners to do most of the advertising for the company, perhaps its time for Starbucks to spend more dollars in this arena to inform the public of their good will, as well as the great programs that are available to them. The business is very committed to the environment, and recognizes both the economic and societal need to invest in products that can bring about changes to the ecosystem. Starbucks strives to lead this effort and aims to produce cups that are purely ecological by 2015 in addition to conserving water and energy use, building greener stores, and making recycling a mandatory part of daily transactions. Other specialized efforts include RED which helps to fund medical supplies needed for HIV patients in Africa; Starbucks Foundation, a literacy program in the US and Canada; and Ethos Water created to fund clean water in countries that are less fortunate (Starbucks Shared Planet, 2010). Training Incentives An implementation plan should not be limited to the products that make up the coffee franchise conversely; the coffee franchise must ponder on innovate ways to keep up employee morale too. For example, there was an incident with an employee who felt lack of routine training created a very tense situation when a drink that should have only taken five minutes to make took 20 minutes. It was stated If you dont use it, you will lose it, and that is exactly what happened when the need to make a drink on a machine that hadnt been used in six months arose. Perhaps things would not have taken as long if other teammates were available, but several of them called in sick, leaving the interviewee to fend for himself. This is a classic example of role ambiguity and also the result of time pressure, a work challenge stressor that occurs when there is a sense that the moments available is not enough to perform the task at hand (Colquitt, et al., p. 146). Some of the ways Starbucks can alleviate this type of event from occurring again is by offering more training sessions at each store weekly, bi-weekly, or at least monthly, so that ones thoughts on how to make beverages are kept fresh. Additionally, the development of incentive programs where employees are rewarded for their ability to make drinks faster than their co-workers; their ability to master items found on the menu; and/or their ability to decrease customer wait time may prove to be beneficial. Rewards would include cash and gift-cards outside the Starbucks chain such as for the movie theater or gas station. More Management Accountability When the CEOs of Chrysler, Ford, and GM flew private jets to plead their case for more taxpayer dollars, the public was livid! Since then the executives have agreed to give up this luxury as well as take pay cuts to help balance the needs of their company (Big Three CEOs, 2008). In response to the financial distress of some of its employees, Starbucks can help fund some of the salaries of those at risk of losing their jobs by following such a plan, which may even keep more stores open. The company could even play around with the idea of offering lower stock prices to boost shareholder interests even more. It was also mentioned that managers get bonuses, so one thing Starbucks could is restructure the bonus program for top managers, at least until profits are steady, and to only award them based on how well the store is performing. Such a plan would work in reverse order too, if a store is not functioning properly, the bonus should be lowered or unavailable all together. By basing bon uses on this strategy, it might encourage the manager to devote their attention on increasing sales by being involved on the floor more, and assimilating with customers versus just doing office work. SUMMARY CONCLUSION Starbucks is known across the world as being a well-built global brand of coffee. As with any company, their main and goal is to increase profits. They achieve this by training their partners to provide coffee lovers with a great experience. Over the years, the company has been recognized for valuing their employees and consumers so profoundly, that it helped to shape them into one of the largest coffee entrepreneurs in the world. They are continuously chosen for being a great place to work. Competitors seem to only fuel Starbucks expansion, strengthening their ability to stand out from all the rest. Employees receive innovative training to ensure they are working at their full potential, and to be passionate people who take pleasure in serving great tasting coffee. In order for Starbucks to remain successful, they must focus on a variety of strategies to maintain their competitive edge, and constantly reinvent products to stay on top of the coffee business. One of the secret to Star bucks success is the opening of new stores in neighborhoods, malls, grocery stores, making it convenient to partake of the Starbucks experience. Management also takes pride in work specialization, and strives to create an atmosphere filled with individuals who are masters at brewing the perfect cup of coffee. Extensive training is provided for all managers in an effort to pursue and achieve the ultimate goal of being the premier brand of coffee that is respected all around the globe. Starbucks is adaptable and knowledgeable when it comes to furthering their profits and market share, and they have a number of capabilities which separates them from other specialty coffee retailers. Howard Schultz, the chairman, president and chief executive of Starbucks, says that a great leader knows how to demonstrate vulnerability, because that will bring people closer to you and show people the human side of you. (Bryant, 2010)

Giotto :: Essays Papers

Giotto The artist I chose for my work was Giotto and his artwork The Epiphany. Giotto was one of the great artists during the period of Renaissance. The painting of the Giotto The Epiphany is about the birth of Jesus. The material used in this painting is tempera on wood. It is painted on to wooden panel with gold ground. Tempera is an egg-based paint, which help the painting look shinier and long lasting. There were many things, which I learned about Giotto, which I was unaware during my research. I found out when Giotto was born and when he die where was he born. I found out that Giotto talent was discovered by Cimabue and he was the teacher of Giotto and how Cimabue supposedly saw the 12- year-old boy sketching one of his father’s sheep on a flat rock and was so impressed with his talent that he persuaded the father to let Giotto become his pupil. I learned that Giotto first being freed from the shackle of medieval restraint. Giotto was mainly known for his religious artwork which help me in coming t conclusion that he was dealt largely in the religious subjects, but he also gave these subject an earthly, full-blooded life and forces. I found out that in 1334 the city of Florence honored Giotto with the title of Magnus Magister (Great Master) and appointed him city architect and superintendent of public works. In this capacity he designed the famous campanile (bell t ower). During my research I was able to find out about Giotto’s family that he was married and left six children at his death. There was one really interest thing about Giotto was the work of designing Campanile was left unfinished by Giotto this was because he died at the time he was doing this work. He also left his impact of artwork on high renaissance artist like Michelangelo that this artist used Giotto’s idea of painting. During my research of Giotto and his artwork The Epiphany there were lots of question in my mind of which some were answered and some were not answered and they still trouble me.

Streamlining :: Norman Bel Geddes Theater Essays

Streamlining Ukrainian State Theater: Foyer - Norman Bel Geddes, Horizons Norman Bel Geddes was a Broadway stage designer turned industrial designer. During much of his life, his ideas stretched beyond the vision of most people. He encountered a lot of apprehension toward his innovative ideas, many of which never left the drawing board. Yet, Geddes' notions of "Streamlining" are important to understanding public life. Steven Heller and Louise Fili (1995) write, "[Streamlining] was at once the engine of progress and a metaphor for the fast tempo of daily life" (p. 80). To Geddes, streamlining illustrated courage: We are too much inclined to believe, because things have long been done a certain way, that that is the best way to do them. Following old grooves of thought is one method of playing safe. But it deprives one of initiative and takes too long. It sacrifices the value of the element of surprise. At times, the only thing to do is to cut loose and do the unexpected! It takes more even than imagination to be progressive. It takes vision and courage. Geddes deserves our attention because so many of his visions remain a part of our collective consciousness in the form of "semiotic phantoms" that endure the many changes that have taken place sense his age. Photo borrowed from Dannysoar's Geddes page. Norman Bel Geddes was born in Adrian, Michigan, in 1893 to a wealthy family. But, by the time he was seven, his father lost everything in the stock market and drank himself to death a few years later. Norman, his mom, and younger brother lived in poverty for the rest of his childhood. But his mother was a cultured woman and she shared her interest in the theatre and opera with her sons. Norman loved to draw and paint and his mother encouraged him (Russell, 1974, p. 8). During this time, they moved a lot. When Norman was in the ninth grade, he was expelled from school. A cartoonist who'd heard about him helped him get into the Cleveland Institute of Art. Norman also attended the Chicago Art Institute for a short time, but school really wasn't his thing. His strong interest in stage and opera grew and soon he found his niche (Russell, 1974, p.10). Geddes' most notable contribution to stage design was in lighting. Back then, the sole purpose of lighting was visibility.